Recommendation 12

HM Government Acknowledged

24. The Government is determined to deter and combat the practice of arbitrary detention for the purpose of diplomatic leverage. Such detentions generally occur in countries where human rights standards and the rule of law are poor, and/or where there is a challenging bilateral relationship. We believe not making substantive concessions is an important part of discouraging and deterring the practice of detaining foreign nationals for diplomatic leverage. HMG has maintained a consistent policy of not entering into prisoner exchanges involving British nationals detained overseas, for example, and has a well-known and long-standing policy of no concessions in terrorist kidnaps which we believe has ultimately worked to protect British nationals from hostage-taking. 25. Our actions are always carefully calibrated to prioritise the best interests of the individual, while also being mindful of the risk of creating perverse incentives, and the potential risk of harm, whether to the individual or others. In diplomatic leverage cases we consider the range of available tools and levers, including creative or novel options, and both bilateral and multilateral engagement or via a third party. This is done through adopting a task force approach which allows us to consider the range of levers and political tools with input from relevant experts across the FCDO in the UK and overseas, and ensuring Ministers and senior political leads, including Ambassadors and Geographical Directors are brought in early.